Nikon has announced the update to the D300, by adding an "S", dual card slots (CF and SD) and 720p video and more speed to give us the D300s. The most important thing for manufacturers and underwater shooters alike is that there is a slight change in the back. This is probably to accomodate the new video function and dual card slot:D300s back

Old D300 back

D300s Specs:Image Sensor FormatDX

Image Sensor TypeCMOS

Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8mm

Total Pixels13.1 million

Effective Pixels12.3 million

Image Area (pixels)

DX-format(L) 4,288x2,848(M) 3,216x2,136(S) 2,144x1,424

Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution7 frames per second

Continuous Shooting OptionsDX-formatCH: Up to 7 frames per secondCL: Up to 6 frames per second

This post seems to have returned! My previous reply managed to get moved to another thread so here it is again: This back change may be seen again with the D700. A few may have been hoping for a high and low body res FF body that would fit in the same housing.

Very interesting pics... Yes, the focus switch has moved, but that's not necessarily a deal killer to using the D300s in a D300 housing. At least in my Ikelite the knob to switch focus might be "tweakable" to work with the new positioning. Of course, if the only way to access video is through the LV button then that won't be available. I wonder if they are going to take LV off the rotating switch on the top left?

At any rate, it could be worse... I'll bet a lot of people end up using the D300s in a D300 housing.

This post seems to have returned! My previous reply managed to get moved to another thread so here it is again: This back change may be seen again with the D700. A few may have been hoping for a high and low body res FF body that would fit in the same housing.

Sorry Tom, but while I was messing with this post, you were posting. I've edited your post to remove the quote. I'm sure everyone who reads will understand what you are talking about.

Drew
Moderator
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."

"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.

SamIt's great to be able to reuse the housing but I think for those wanting to use video, the housings with specifically dimensioned D200 LCD window will be a bit too small. Those housings with full plexi backs on the other hand will have happy owners.I'm a little underwhelmed with this update really. Looks to me this is what the D300 should've been originally. I mean it's only 2 years old. Manufacturers tend to hop along on one foot until the competition comes up with something great. Right now I have to agree with Cor on his rant.

Drew
Moderator
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."

"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.

SamIt's great to be able to reuse the housing but I think for those wanting to use video, the housings with specifically dimensioned D200 LCD window will be a bit too small. Those housings with full plexi backs on the other hand will have happy owners.I'm a little underwhelmed with this update really. Looks to me this is what the D300 should've been originally. I mean it's only 2 years old. Manufacturers tend to hop along on one foot until the competitor comes up with something great. Right now I have to agree with Cor on his rant.

They have stayed with the same video spec as the D90, no 1080p. Maybe there is to be yet another version in another year or so. Waiting for the next gen of chips, cards, or USB etc.?? This is now their DX 'flagship'.

Well I think it's a lame update... like I thought the 1D2N was for the 1D2. Basically the 1D2N was the camera the 1D2 should've been, minus the issues.
To be fair, I don't think Canon knew the 5D2's video capability would be such a hit. I doubt they were responding to Scarlet but more to just trump the D90. Suddenly their product has found an entire new market. It'll be interesting to see if the Japanese will think "outside the box" more often now. To release a video camera without manual exposure controls was just plain dumb!

Drew
Moderator
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."

"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.

Well I think it's a lame update... like I thought the 1D2N was for the 1D2. Basically the 1D2N was the camera the 1D2 should've been, minus the issues.To be fair, I don't think Canon knew the 5D2's video capability would be such a hit. I doubt they were responding to Scarlet but more to just trump the D90. Suddenly their product has found an entire new market. It'll be interesting to see if the Japanese will think "outside the box" more often now. To release a video camera without manual exposure controls was just plain dumb!

I gather that video in dSLRs is a 'work in progress'. Of course they may be deliberately leaving things out for future updates!

SamIt's great to be able to reuse the housing but I think for those wanting to use video, the housings with specifically dimensioned D200 LCD window will be a bit too small. Those housings with full plexi backs on the other hand will have happy owners.I'm a little underwhelmed with this update really. Looks to me this is what the D300 should've been originally. I mean it's only 2 years old. Manufacturers tend to hop along on one foot until the competition comes up with something great. Right now I have to agree with Cor on his rant.

Drew, I was talking about my'nexus' d200 housing which has full view of d300 LCD. Subal and other housings are different story.

I wouldn't know Jeff. I don't use AF for video uw. I'm more afraid of the AF going on a hunting spree for contrast than anything else. Bad WB, artifactting etc can be fixed, OOF shots are useless. I'm one of those that prefer manual focus. The problem is too many manufacturers have relied on AF to do the work in DSLR and with VIDSLR, the game has changed YET again. I've been trying to figure which housing is best that I can use a zoom and focus gear at the same time.

Drew
Moderator
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."

"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.

When I tried video with my D90, It was producing a good quality
macro video in avi file(easy to see/share) & it will cost me a big
money if I want same quality lens for my video. One thing I missed
was AF & d300s looks like has it.

Local Nikon will release new camera by 27 August and I will post
a sample in few days from it.